Module 2: Research Problem and Background, PDF

MODULE 2: THE PROBLEM AND IT’S BACKGROUND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM A problem is (1) any significant, perplexing and challenging situation, real or artificial, the solution of which requires reflective thinking, (2) a perplexing situation after it has been translated into a question or series of...

MODULE 2: THE PROBLEM AND IT’S BACKGROUND THE RESEARCH PROBLEM A problem is (1) any significant, perplexing and challenging situation, real or artificial, the solution of which requires reflective thinking, (2) a perplexing situation after it has been translated into a question or series of questions that help determine the direction of subsequent inquiry. (Dewey and Good)  There are five factors to consider to find out if a problem is researchable. 1. The problem is existing in the locality or country but no known solution to the problem. 2. The solution to the problem can be answered using statistical methods and techniques 3. There are probable solutions but not yet tested 4. The occurrence of the phenomena requires scientific investigation to arrive at precise solution. 5. It is a serious need or problem of the people that demands research (Kerlinger, 1986) A good research problem should respond to the socioeconomic recovery of the country wherein the research output can be converted into small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This kind of research can be applied to through experimental research However, descriptive research can also be applied to train the students to conduct research even of there is no return on investment. CHARACTERISTICS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time-bound SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM 1. Specialization- if the researcher forte is food technology, he may investigate the acceptability, salability and profitability of food item. 2. Existing and past researches- rich sources of research problems. 3. Theses, dissertations and research journals- thesis and dissertation writers recommend problems related to the study for future research 4. Problems met- problems met by people in the community are also sources of research problem (serious problem in the community) 5. Creative ideas of the researcher- example: fish wastes like backbone, rib bones, intramuscular bones and flesh scrap of boneless bangus can be utilize in making burger, spread, luncheon meat, fish balls, polvoron, meat loaf and many others. CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH PROBLEM 1. Interesting 2. Relevant to government’s trust 3. Relevant to the needs and problems of the people 4. Innovative 5. Cost-effective 6. Inventive 7. Return on investment (invest-harvest principle) 8. Original 9. Measurable 10.Time-bound  ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM 1. Aim or purpose of the problem for investigation. This answers the question WHY? Why is there an investigation, inquiry or study? 2. The subject matter or topic to be investigated. This answers the question WHAT? What is to be investigated or studied? 3. The place or locale where the research is to be conducted. This answers the question WHERE? Where is the study to be conducted? 4. The period or time of the study during which the data are to be gathered. This answers the question WHEN? When is the study to be carried out? 5. Population or universe from whom the data are to be collected. This answers the question WHO? Or FROM WHOM? Who are the respondents? From whom are the data to be gathered? Summarizing the elements of a research problem are aim or purpose, subject matter or topic, place or locale, period or time and population or universe. EXAMPLE To determine the status of teaching science in the high schools of Province A during the school year 1989-1990 Aim or Purpose: to determine the status of Subject matter or topic: the teaching of science Place or locale: in the high schools of Province A Period or time: during the school year 1989-1990 Population: the respondents are implied to be either the teachers or the pupils or both. HOW TO DEVELOP A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC? BEST RESEARCH TOPICS IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY THE TITLE Guidelines in writing the title: 1. generally, the title is formulated before the start of the research work. It may be revised and refined later if there is a need. 2. The title must contain the subject matter of the study, the locale of the study, the population involved, and the period when the data will be gathered. 3. It must be broad enough to include all aspects of the subject matter studied or to be studied. Hence, the title indicates what is expected to be found inside the thesis report. 4. It must be as brief and concise as possible. 5. Avoid using the terms “An analysis of” “A study of”, “An Investigation of” and the like. All these things are understood to have been done or to be done when a research is conducted. 6. If the title contains more than one line, it must be written like an inverted pyramid, all words in capital letters. CONSTRUCTION OF TITLE A title should: Capture the main idea and content of the research. Identify the variables or theoretical issues under investigation and the relationship between them Catch the reader’s attention and interest be concise, simple and with style Mark its contribution to and distinction from the field Match search queries and keywords so people will find your paper and  SAMPLE COMBINATIONS AND SAMPLE TITLES: = Catch Phrase: Topic + Subjects Title Age Does Matter: A Phenomenological Study of Longevity among Geriatrics in Lucena City SAMPLE COMBINATIONS AND SAMPLE TITLES: = Topic Method + Subjects Title Life in a Tube: Content Analysis of ABS CBN’s Station ID’s SAMPLE COMBINATIONS AND SAMPLE TITLES: = Variable + Variable + Who Title School Culture and Moral Development of College Students SAMPLE COMBINATIONS AND SAMPLE TITLES: Topic + Locale = Title Employment Potential of Tourism in the Philippines SAMPLE COMBINATIONS AND SAMPLE TITLES: Theory + Application/ Test = Title Testing the limits of Structuration Theory in Accounting Research SAMPLE COMBINATIONS AND SAMPLE TITLES: Topic: + Subtitle/ Focus Title = Title Clay Therapy: An Alternative Approach to Emotional Reduction Therapy  RESEARCH PAPER CHAPTER 1 of a thesis should contain a discussion of each of the following topics: Introduction Statement of the problem Assumption and hypotheses Significance and importance of the study Definition of terms Scope and delimitation of the study Conceptual framework HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH INTRODUCTION? STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 1. The general statement of the problem and the specific sub problems or questions should be formulated first before conducting the research. 2. It is customary to state specific sub problems in the interrogative form. Hence, sub problems are called specific questions. 3. Each specific question must be clear and unequivocal, that it has only one meaning. It must not have dual meanings. 4. Each specific questions is researchable apart from the other questions, that is, answers to each specific question can be found even without considering the other questions. 5. Each specific question must be based upon known facts and phenomena. 6. Answers to each specific question can be interpreted apart from the answers to other specific questions. 7. Answers to each specific question must contribute to the development of the whole research problem or topic. 8. Summing up the answers to all the specific questions will give a complete development of the entire study. 9. The number of specific questions should be enough to cover the development of the whole research problem or study. 10. Generally, there should be a general statement of the problem and then this should be broken up into as many sub problems or specific questions as necessary. HYPOTHESIS A hypothesis is a specific statement or prediction or an intelligent guess. Oftentimes it is stated in the null form. It is tested and utilizes statistical tools to support the results. EXAMPLE Hypothesis: If we offer a discount on our product, then we will attract more customers and increase sales. In this example, the business is hypothesizing that by providing a discount on their product, they can achieve two specific outcomes: attracting more customers and increasing sales. EXAMPLE: THE EFFECTS OF COFFEE ON MENTAL ALERTNESS OR COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE HYPHOTHESES 1: Consuming Coffee Improves short-term memory and cognitive performance by increasing brain activity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, where functions like memory retention and decision-making are located. EXAMPLE: THE EFFECTS OF COFFEE ON MENTAL ALERTNESS OR COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE HYPHOTHESES 2: The consumption of coffee significantly increases mental alertness in sleep-deprived individuals allowing them to perform better on cognitive tasks than those who did not consume coffee. Historical and descriptive investigations do not need explicit hypotheses and assumptions. Only experimental studies need expressly written assumptions and hypotheses. Types of Hypotheses: Null Hypothesis- is stated in the negative Alternative Hypothesis- stated in positive NULL HYPOTHESIS (H○) Is a type of denial of existence of a trait, characteristic, quality, value, correlation or difference of the result. It is always stated in negative form The variable are equal, hence the difference is zero After the specific problems of the research paper, thesis or dissertation, the hypothesis is formulated. The null hypothesis which is commonly used is based on specific research problems. EXAMPLE OF NULL HYPOTHESIS (H○) THE EFFECT OF DECAFFEINATED COFFEE VERSUS WATER ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE" HYPOTHESIS: There will be no significant difference in cognitive performance between individuals who drink decaffeinated coffee and those who drink water. Independent variable: Type of beverage (decaffeinated coffee vs. water) Dependent variable: Cognitive performance (measured through tasks like memory recall, reaction time, etc.) EXAMPLE OF NULL HYPOTHESIS (H○) THE EFFECT OF DECAFFEINATED COFFEE VERSUS WATER ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE" HYPOTHESIS: In this case, both groups are consuming beverages, but since decaffeinated coffee contains no (or very little) caffeine, the expectation is that the difference in cognitive performance between the two groups will be zero. The study would aim to test whether the mere act of drinking coffee, minus the caffeine, has any psychological or cognitive placebo effects, or if the results are truly neutral (zero difference SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The significance of the study is presented with either an inductive or a deductive perspective. When using an inductive perspective, the researcher discusses the importance of the study from particular to general. He starts discussing the importance of the study from target beneficiaries, to the researcher himself, to the people in the locality, province, region, and nation. When a deductive perspective is used, the researcher presents the importance of the study starting from the general to the particular- from the national level down to the regional, provincial and municipal levels, to the researcher, and to the target beneficiaries. The researcher should prove that the study has important contributions in relation to: (a) solving the problem and need; (b) bridging a knowledge gap; (c) improving social, economic and health conditions of the people; (d) enriching research instruments, methods and strategies; and (e) supporting government thrusts. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY It is an important section of a research paper, thesis or dissertation. This includes the coverage of the study, the subjects, the research instrument or research apparatus and equipment, the research issues and concerns, the duration of the study, and the constraints that have direct bearing on the results of the study. WHAT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED IN THE SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY? 1. A brief statement of the general purpose of the study. 2. The subject matter and topics studied and discussed 3. The locale of the study, where the date were gathered or the entity to which the data belong. 4. The population or universe from which the respondents were selected. This must be large enough to make generalizations significant. 5. The period of the study. This is the time, either months or years during which the data were gathered. Example: this investigation was conducted to determine the status of teaching of science in the high schools of Province A as perceived by the teachers and students in science classes during the school year 1989-1990. the aspects looked into were the qualifications of teachers, their methods and strategies, facilities, forms of supervisory assistance, problems and proposed solutions to problems. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY include weaknesses beyond the researcher's control. This is especially true in descriptive research, where the variables involved are uncountable or continuous variables such as adequacy, effectiveness, efficiency, extent, etc. The weaknesses spring out of the respondents' inaccuracies in perceptions. THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Theoretical Framework - Shapes the justification of the research problems in order to provide the legal basis for defining their parameters. It is advisable for a researcher to identify key concepts that are used in the study for better comprehension of the role of theory in research -theoretical framework is s symbolic construction which uses abstract concepts, facts or laws, variables and their relations to explain and predict how an observed phenomenon exists and operates. An investigator is required to formulate existing theories which link the study. Theories are useful device for interpreting, enriching, and unifying established scientific laws or facts that serve as guide in discovering new generalizations. Conceptual Framework -presents specific and well-defined concepts, which are called constructs. Its function is similar to the theoretical framework because the constraints used are derived from abstract concepts of the theoretical framework. PARADIGM is a diagrammatic representation of a conceptual framework. It depicts in a more vivid way what the conceptual framework wants to convey. Following are examples of a paradigm for the conceptual framework for the teaching of science as mentioned above. PARADIGM FOR SCIENCE TEACHING IN HIGH SCHOOLS INPUTS PROCESS OUTPUTS Qualified Teachers Science Effective Superior Methods Science Instructional Knowledge Adequate Facilities and Skills of Students Adequate Program Supervisory Assistance PARADIGM FOR SCIENCE TEACHING IN HIGH SCHOOLS Qualified Science instructional teachers Effective Program Methods Superior Science Knowledge and skills of students Adequate Adequate Supervisory Facilities assistance  THE VARIABLE A variable is any characteristics or feature that varies or changes within a study. Variables can be manipulated to serve the purpose of the study. THE VARIABLE Types of Variable 1. Independent Variable 2. Dependent Variable 3. Controlled Variable INDEPENDENT VARIABLE Is the stimulus or cause variable chosen by the researcher to determine the relationship of an observed phenomenon. Example “Effectiveness of Teaching Mathematics as perceived by Kto 12 students of public and private schools in Iloilo City” Independent Variables Teaching Mathematics K to 12 Students of Public and Private Schools “SURVIVAL RATE AND WEIGHT OF CATFISH CULTURED IN BACKYARD FISHPOND USING SHRIMP MEAL AND BREAD MEAL AS SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDS” Independent Variables Catfish Shrimp Meal Bread Meal “ Yield of Kappaphycus Cultured in Guimaras Marine Waters using Lantay Method and Hanging Method” Independent Variables Kappaphycus Marine Waters Lantay Method Hanging Method “ ACCEPTABILITY, SALABILITY AND PROFITABILITY OF MILKFISH BONES BURGER WITH AND WITHOUT MORINGA” Independent Variables Milkfish bones burger with Moringa Milkfish bones burger without Moringa DEPENDENT VARIABLES Is response variable or effect that is observed or measured to determine the effect of the independent variable It changes when the independent variables varies.  Example “Effectiveness of Teaching Mathematics as perceived by Kto 12 students of public and private schools in Iloilo City” Independent Variables Dependent Variables Teaching Mathematics Effectiveness K to 12 Students of Public Mean Scores and Private Schools  “SURVIVAL RATE AND WEIGHT OF CATFISH CULTURED IN BACKYARD FISHPOND USING SHRIMP MEAL AND BREAD MEAL AS SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDS” Independent Variables Dependent Variables Catfish Survival Rate Shrimp Meal Weight (Shrimp Meal) Bread Meal Weight (Bread Meal)  “ Yield of Kappaphycus Cultured in Guimaras Marine Waters using Lantay Method and Hanging Method” Independent Variables Dependent Variables Kappaphycus Yield Marine Waters Weight (Lantay) Lantay Method Weight(Hanging) Hanging Method  “ ACCEPTABILITY, SALABILITY AND PROFITABILITY OF MILKFISH BONES BURGER WITH AND WITHOUT MORINGA” Independent Variables Dependent Variables Milkfish bones burger Acceptability with Moringa Salability Milkfish bones burger Profitability without Moringa CONTROLLED VARIABLE Is a variable that is managed by the researcher in which the effects can be neutralized by eliminating or removing the variable. For example, the researcher wishes to determine the effects of independent variable A on the dependent variable B. he may control C (control variable) because he cannot do many variables simultaneously Examples are temperature held constant during an experiment. Others are amount of light, using the same glassware, constant humidity or the duration of an experiment. DEFINITION OF TERMS This is the last section of the research paper, thesis, or dissertation in Chapter 1. if there are more than 15 terms defined in this section, the key terms must be clearly defined and presented in the glossary. There are two ways of defining the key terms used in the study: Conceptual and Operational definition Conceptual definition- the definition of terms is based on concepts of or is hypothetical. The definitions are usually taken from dictionaries, encyclopedias, and published journals and books. Operational definition- the definition of terms is based on observable characteristics and how it is used in the study. 1. Only terms, words or phrases which have special or unique meaning in the study are defined. For instance, the term non-teaching facilities may be used in the study of the teaching of science. Non-teaching facilities may be defined as facilities needed by the students and teachers but are not used to explain the lesson nor make instructions clearer. 2. Terms should be defined operationally, that is, how they are used in the study. For instance, a study is made about early marriage. What is meant by early marriage? To make the meaning clear, early marriage may be defined as one in which the contracting partied are both below eighteen years of age. 3. The researcher may develop his own definition from the characteristics of the term defined. Thus, a house of light materials may be defined as one with bamboo or small wooden posts, nipa, buri or nipa walls, split bamboo floor and cogon or nipa roof. This is also an operational definition. 4. Definitions may be taken from the encyclopedias, books, magazines and newspaper articles, dictionaries and other publications but the researcher must acknowledge his sources. Definitions taken from published materials are called conceptual or theoretical definitions. Examples are toilets or comfort rooms, electric fans, rest rooms or lounges and the like. They may also be called non- instructional facilities. 5. Definitions should be a brief, clear and unequivocal as possible. 6. Acronyms should always be spelled out fully especially if it is not commonly known or if it is used for the first time.  Thank you for listening! You can now work on the Chapter 1 of your Research Paper